Update... I had to do it in 2 posts to keep reading when it looks like it's all done!!!

So over the last few weeks we've been up to a lot. Paul just finished one of his first jobs with the business making some fliers for his dad's and brother's new company. He did a great job and it was fun watching him put his creative talents to work. He spent a lot of time learning some new programs too so I know he's really put a lot of effort into to getting everything off the ground. He's really working hard.

I've been picking up extra hours at work, working 10 hour days. Our company just expanded our production to take on another wedding line and because our plant had the space to take on the extra orders they transitioned everything here to Idaho. With the move they've been asking people to work as much as possible so I've picked up time so I can help out there and here at the house. I really hope it's worth it.

Riann has been doing great!!! She is now eating solid food about once or twice a day. She's a hoot!!! It's hard to feed her because she's already eager to hold her own spoon. We have a really hard time getting the food to her mouth because it's typically knocked off by the time we get it there. If one of us is feeding her we have to hold down one hand and try to bypass the reach on her other. It's a process but we're learning to get by just like she is. She's been getting TONS better at rolling onto her tummy and she's even been getting a little better at getting back to her back. We still don't think she does it on purpose but it's becoming more frequent so I'm wondering if she's about there. Paul also says she's even been working on getting up to her knees so we might have a crawler before we have a real head of real hair and a few teeth... Not that I'm hoping for her to become that active anytime soon. I want her to stay my baby for a little longer. She's been growing so fast it's amazing to see the changes even each day when I get home from work. I thought I would add some pictures and video of the fun things she's been up to lately. I've finally got the patients to wait for a video to load so I hope this works!!!

This is her newer trick where she "blows bubbles". Most of the time she just drools EVERYWHERE and makes a mess but she got some good ones in this day. I love the shape her mouth makes!!!



Here are a few pictures of us all just hanging out as well...

She had just gotten her 4 month shots. She did really good this time and she got matching band-aids. We were both really proud of her!!!

She some how always manages to cover her self up completely while she sleeps. We came in the other day and this was all we could see of her. Often it wakes her up and she has a certain grunt/cry that we know by heart so we know when she's frustrated and can't seem to get the blanket off of her face.

She loves this toy... Yes, she has a favorite toy already. His name is Alex and I think they secretly talk to each other. He has to be with her everywhere we go. He hangs off of her car seat and she plays with him ALL the time!!!

Riann and Dad making faces at the camera. I can't tell who's having more fun here... I love them both so much!!!

This is the story of my life... all in one photo. I've got a husband who works very hard and deserves all the rest he can get, a baby who likes to play when everyone else wants to sleep, and a cat who's trying to take my place as the woman of the house. I was getting ready for work the other day and when I came into say goodbye this is what my bed looked like. These guys make me happy!!!




Keep reading for more pictures and a video of Riann's adventures with cereal!!!!

The site wouldn't let me put 2 video's on one post so here is the video of Riann trying to eat some cereal. Like I said in my first post she's a bit of a hand full but we love every moment of it. I also wanted to add some photo's of her in her highchair. I think she really likes it because it puts her up to our level and it's a new place where she gets to practice her sitting skills.

I hope you guys enjoy!!!

Riann Eating


This is the first time she sat in it... I think... She looks so small!!!

She's upset with me because I'm taking pictures when she wants more to eat... Not good.

Hanging out waiting to get cleaned up on the first night we tried out the cereal. I don't know why but any time she sits up she has to be leaning forward if she can manage it. She hates to be leaning back or reclining. She's peculiar.

Messy kid!!!

Enjoying the moment!!!


Love you all!!!

The 4th of July

So this was our first real holiday with Riann... excluding Easter which I don't really count because we really didn't know about it coming up and all... and I have to admit it was pretty fun!!! I totally think I'm going to be one of those mom's who dresses up their kids in all of the holiday attire until the last possible year when they can finally say no and I'll have to listen.

We had a pretty relaxing morning. It was wonderful to not have to worry about work. It's really been killing me going in lately, we're really going to have to figure out something new. I don't like being away, but it's what we need for now. After taking a while to wake up we got going on a window or two and really got them in. After that we all cleaned up and got ready to get down to Idaho Falls for the fire works. It was really a nice trip to be with Paul and Riann and not really need to think about life for a while. I was really at peace most of the day. We got into IF and Paul decided he needed to eat so we took some time and stopped at AppleBee's it was really fun. Riann was really good and just had a blast playing in her chair. The food there has gotten TONS better than when we first started eating there and we've started to have really good times when we go. After eating we walked over to the green belt which is right on the water in front of the temple and found some great seats... or what we thought were great seats. We didn't know that the show had been moved because of flooding and so we were actually sitting the wrong direction and missed part of the show behind some of the buildings we were trying to avoid. It ended up being a pretty good day though. It was nice to be out of the house and to just get to spend some time as just the 3 of us. We haven't done that lately and it was really refreshing. It was a blast to watch Riann and Paul play together and I had a lot of fun "people watching" with Paul as people passed us in our seats. I also REALLY enjoyed all of the complements people gave us about Riann as they walked bye. I'm a sucker for that stuff!!!

I'm really grateful we get to take a day to celebrate the blessing it is to live in a free country. I am so grateful for the joys that I have in my life and for those who have allowed me the chance to experience them. My freedom is something I hold sacred and I will never be able to repay those who have given me that luxury. I will try my hardest to never take for granted what I've been given and the price that was paid for me to have it. I owe my freedom to the brave men and women who have given their lives to this country and I am truly grateful for that gift. Not only to I owe my freedom to them but to their families who have given the greatest sacrifice to this country and I hope that one day we will all find the courage to make their sacrifice worth while. I know my blessings don't come free and I am always honored to say "I'm proud to be an American!!!"

Although it will never be enough, Thank you to all who have fought and died and sacrificed on my behalf and so my children can have the opportunity to live a better life than I did. God bless the troops and their families who love them!!!

Here are some photo's from that day!!!

Getting ready to go out... Riann thought she'd do a little bow modeling before we got her dressed.

She kept trying to sit up at Applebee's but she kept getting distracted with her feet.

Riann loving loves from Daddy!!!

A beautiful smile in action!!!

She loves all of the attention he gives her.

Hanging out waiting for the show to start.

I love her so much!!!!!